Breathe in, breathe out. A simple body function taken for granted daily by millions of people. But for some, that seemingly simple routine is not quite so simple. A person with cystic fibrosis does not have the ability to breathe so automatically. One out of every 3,000 newborns will be diagnosed with the genetic disorder, which mainly affects the lungs of the patient.
Brittany Olson is one of those who have been diagnosed with CF, and has been living with it for her entire life. Brittany has had numerous lung infections over her 26 years, which have led to decreased lung function and permanent damage.
She is now on continuous oxygen, and has 16% lung function. Doctors have decided that she should undergo a double lung transplant, and plans are being made for that. She will be traveling to Duke University, in North Carolina for the transplant.
“I think me living my life, doing the things I want to do when I can breathe, are honoring them,” Brittany said of the donor whose lungs she will eventually receive. “To think that I could run with the my dogs, or go out in the woods to hunt, or work in the career I want to work in, that would be great!” And there are many more things Brittany would be able to do following the double lung transplant, not the least of which is to breathe easily.
With a positive attitude and a smile on her face, she is preparing for the transplant. Friends are joining together to host a benefit in her honor, and funds raised will be used for transplant related expenses. A pulled pork feed and raffle fundraiser will be held on Friday, October 28. The event will be held at the Elks Club in Worthington, beginning at 5:00 p.m.
A resident of Worthington, Brittany is the wife of Josh Olson, formerly of Heron Lake (the son of Marlys Olson and Dave Olson). Her parents are Ty and Pam Westendorf of Worthington.
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